Hounds lead the way

Thousands of visitors flocked to the Peterborough Festival of Hunting yesterday, held at the East of England Showground to show their support at one of the country's leading and most prestigious hound shows.

Despite soaring temperatures, a record number of packs attended the festival with over 1,500 hounds on display, encompassing Foxhounds, Harriers, Beagles, Bassets, Mink, Fell, Old English, Drag and Blood Hounds. Coursing demonstrations were also strongly represented with Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, Deerhounds and Lurcher displays, alongside Working Hunt Terriers.

The largest ever Inter Hunt Team Relay challenged 64 teams of riders from hunts across the country and provided a huge amount of entertainment for a very enthusiastic crowd. Visitors to the festival also enjoyed a wide range of specialist trade exhibitors and the chance to soak up the atmosphere of the Gundog and Utility judging at the East of England Championship Dog Show.

Andrew Mercer, Secretary of the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show Society, said 'The Festival of Hunting has once again been extremely well supported and has certainly captured the enthusiasm of the hunting community'.

Next year's Festival of Hunting will take place on Wednesday 18th July 2007 at the East of England Showground, Peterborough and is organised by the East of England Agricultural Society in conjunction with the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show Society and the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles.